Cigar Cutting Tool

ABSTRACT

A cigar cutting tool is disclosed having a housing defining an aperture sized to receive a cigar head, a first cutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to and across the aperture, a second cutting element having a sharpened tubular edge extendable from the housing and having a cutting diameter, and a third cutting element having a sharpened tubular edge extendable from the housing and having a cutting diameter smaller than the cutting diameter of the second cutting element. The first cutting element is movable between an open position exposing the aperture and a closed position fully covering the aperture and protecting the sharpened linear edge within the housing. The tool may be used for selectively causing one of a plurality of openings in a cigar head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to cigar smoking implements andaccessories. More particularly, this invention is a cutting device foropening the head of a cigar in preparation for smoking.

BACKGROUND

The head of a cigar is the tip which the smoker places in his mouthduring smoking. Cigars are sold with their heads in a “closed” state,that is, the binder and wrapper cover the head completely to retain thecompacted filler and provide a neat and tapered tip. Cigars areoccasionally also sold with their feet closed for the same reason.Additionally, binders and wrappers help to keep fresh the fillertobacco, so cigars that are sold with their heads and feet closed tendto remain fresh longer.

Another reason that cigars are sold with their heads closed is thatcigar smokers generally prefer to open the heads themselves, accordingto their smoking preferences and comfort. If the opening size is larger,more flow will result, which will result in more flavor, but will alsocause the cigar to burn faster and hotter. A smaller opening will causethe cigar to burn slower and cooler, but will provide a milder flavor.

Cutting devices for opening the heads of cigars come in two main types,slicers and punches. Punches are tubular cutting tools that create alongitudinal hole into the center of the head. The diameter of the holeis always the same as the size of the punch, so punches are availablewith either a smaller punch diameter, generally in the 6 MM diameterrange, or a larger punch diameter, generally in the 8 MM diameter range.Slicers, on the other hand, typically consist of one or two sharp bladesthat traverse and slice through the head to remove the head tip andcreate an opening that traverses the cigar, normal to the cigar'slongitudinal axis.

A punch may be used on any cigar regardless of the cigar's diameter. Butsince there is no strict standard for cigar diameters, some cigars maybe too fat for use with some slicers, when the diameter of the cigarcannot fit within the aperture of the slicer.

Some smokers prefer smoking a cigar that has been opened by a punch,while others prefer a cigar that has been opened by a slicer. Slicerscan be more damaging to the cigar head, particularly as the slicerblades become dull, but many smokers prefer the feel of a sliced headand the wider opening a slicer produces. Also, heads can be re-sliced asthey become moist and ratty. Punches, on the other hand, tend to producea more well-defined and consistent opening, causing fewer stray tobaccobits.

Some smokers will vary the opening type according to the cigar. Certaincigars are prone to smoke hotter, be stronger, or have more flavor thanothers, leading the smoker to prefer a particular head opening size andstyle according to the cigar type. The same smoker may prefer to have asliced opening in one type of cigar and a punched opening on another. Orthe smoker may prefer to have a smaller punched opening in one type ofcigar and a larger punched opening on another.

Since cigar smoking is typically a social activity, it is common forseveral smokers to share a single cigar cutting tool. Should theavailable tool be a slicer, those smokers who prefer a punched openingmust compromise. Should the available tool be a punch, those smokers whoprefer a sliced opening must compromise.

There is therefore the need for a cigar cutting device which is useablewith any cigar, and such is an object of the present invention.

There is also the need for such a cigar cutting device which is capableof cutting any cigar according to the smoker's preference, and such isan object of the present invention.

There is also the need for such a cigar cutting device which is simpleand convenient to use, and such is an object of the present invention.

There is also the need for such a cigar cutting device which iscompactable into a safe storage condition wherein its blades areprotected from damage and the smoker is protected from injury, and suchis an object of the present invention.

There is also the need for such a cigar cutting device which has aslicing blade that locks automatically into its storage position at thecompletion of a cut, and such is an object of the present invention.

And there is the need for such a cigar cutting device in which allblades may be either biased or locked into their storage positions, andsuch is an object of the present invention.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in view of the following disclosure of an exemplary embodimentthereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is best summarized as a cigar cutting tool having ahousing defining an aperture sized to receive a cigar head, a firstcutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to andacross the aperture, a second cutting element having a sharpened tubularedge extendable from the housing and having a cutting diameter, and athird cutting element having a sharpened tubular edge extendable fromthe housing and having a cutting diameter smaller than the cuttingdiameter of the second cutting element. The first cutting element may bemovable between an open position exposing the aperture and a closedposition fully covering the aperture and protecting the sharpened linearedge within the housing. The tool may be used for selectively causingone of a plurality of openings in a cigar head.

The cigar cutting device as preferably embodied has a plurality ofslicing and punching means to allow one or more smokers to customize theopening of each cigar to be smoked. The invention overcomes thedeficiencies of the prior art by providing a cigar cutting device whichis useable with any cigar, which is capable of cutting any cigaraccording to each smoker's preference, which is simple and convenient touse, which is compactable into a safe storage position wherein itsblades are protected from damage and the smoker is protected frominjury, which has a slicing blade that locks automatically into itsstorage position at the completion of a cut, and in which all blades maybe either biased or locked into their storage positions.

Further features and aspects of the invention are disclosed with morespecificity in the Detailed Description and Drawings of an exemplaryembodiment provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference tothe following drawings. The components in the drawings are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearlyillustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in thedrawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cigar cutting tool according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention in its storage position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the cigar cutting tool of FIG. 1 with itsfirst cutting element almost fully in its open position and its secondand third cutting elements in their extended positions;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view through the cigar cutting tool ofFIG. 1 with all three of its cutting elements in their storagepositions;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view through the cigar cutting tool ofFIG. 1 with its second cutting punching element in its retractedposition, its third cutting element in its extended position, andshowing the motion of the first cutting element from its closed positionto its open position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cigar cutting tool of FIG.1; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cigar cutting tool of FIG. 1 duringthe slicing of a cigar head by the first cutting element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 6, where there is shown anexemplary cigar cutting tool 100 according to just one of the infinitenumber of possible embodiments within the scope of the invention, and acigar 200 to be opened thereby.

Cigar cutting tool 100 has a housing 102 defining an aperture 104,preferably 20 MM in diameter, to receive cigar head 202. First cuttingelement 106 has a sharpened linear edge 108 movable relative to andacross the aperture. Second cutting element 112 has a sharpened tubularedge 114 extendable from the housing and preferably has an 8 MM cuttingdiameter. Third cutting element 116 has a sharpened tubular edge 118extendable from the housing and preferably has a 6MM cutting diameter.

First cutting element 106 is movable between an open position exposingaperture 104, and a closed position fully covering the aperture andprotecting the sharpened linear edge within the housing. FIG. 2 showsthe first element almost in its fully open position and FIG. 1 shows theelement in its closed position. First cutting element 106 is biasedtowards its open position by compression spring 122. Releasable pawl 124engages indentation 126 to retain the first cutting element in itsclosed position, as shown in FIG. 1, against the bias of spring 122.Pawl 124 automatically engages indentation 126 to retain the firstcutting element as the first cutting element is moved to its closedposition by the bias of pawl spring 128, best seen in FIG. 4.

Release button 132 is rigidly connected to pawl 124 such that inwardforce on the button moves pawl 124 outwardly against the bias of spring128 and out of engagement with indentation 126, as seen in FIG. 4,thereby allowing compression spring 122 to force first cutting element106 automatically to its open position, as shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.

Second cutting element 112 and third cutting element 116 are eachmovable between an extended position wherein the respective second orthird cutting element extends from the housing, shown for element 116 inFIG. 4, and a retracted position wherein the respective second or thirdcutting element is retracted into the housing and the respectivesharpened tubular edge is protected within the housing, shown forelement 112 in FIG. 4. In their extended positions, the second and thirdelements preferably extend approximately 8 MM from the housing.

The second and third cutting elements each comprise a hollow interiorchamber 134 for receiving the punched-out plug 204 from the cigar head202. An ejector 136 is disposed within and movable relative to each ofthe hollow interior chambers and adapted to force the plug from therespective chamber as the respective second or third cutting element ismoved from its extended position to its retracted position, asappreciated by comparing FIGS. 3 and 4. The second and third cuttingelements are each biased towards its retracted position, as seen inFIGS. 1 and 3, by an associated one of compression springs 138.

Housing 102 has a pair of openings 142 each adjacent to and associatedwith one of the second and third cutting elements, each opening has alongitudinal slot portion 144 and a transverse slot portion 146. Lugs148 are each fixed to and movable with the respective second or thirdcutting element, each lug movably received within an associated one ofthe openings.

The lugs serve as both actuators for causing movement of the associatedelement and as retaining means for cooperating with the associatedopenings to hold the associated elements in their extended positions.Longitudinal outward movement of each lug within the associated slot'slongitudinal slot portion 144 causes the associated one of the second orthird cutting elements to move from its retracted position to itsextended position, and transverse outward movement of each lug withinthe associated slot's transverse slot portion 146 causes the associatedone of the second or third cutting elements to be retained in itsextended position, as seen in FIG. 2.

Second cutting element 112 and third cutting element 116 are coaxiallydisposed, which, as can be appreciated by viewing FIGS. 3 and 4, providefor the sharing of numerous common features and symmetry of design. Suchsymmetry is found to provide improved balance and feel while using thetool, and renders the tool equally functional for both left-handed andright-handed smokers.

To use the tool, a smoker first selects a desired one of a slicedopening, an 8 MM diameter punched opening, or a 6MM diameter punchedopening for cigar head 202, and accordingly follows either process a),b) or c);

-   -   a) For a sliced opening, the smoker moves the first cutting        element 106 to its open position, inserts cigar head 202 into        aperture 104; and moves the first cutting element to its closed        position to thereby slice an opening through the cigar head.    -   b) For an 8 MM diameter punched opening, the smoker extends the        second cutting element 112 from housing 102, secures it in its        extended position, and pushes the second cutting element        longitudinally into the center of cigar head 202 to thereby        punch an 8 MM diameter opening into the cigar head.    -   c) For a 6 MM diameter punched opening, the smoker extends the        third cutting element 116 from the housing, secures it in its        extended position; and pushes the third cutting element        longitudinally into the center of cigar head 202 to thereby        punch an 8 MM diameter opening into the cigar head.

Upon completion of process a), the first cutting element 106 is forcedback into housing 102, and pawl 124 automatically engages indentation126 to retain the first cutting element in its closed position. Uponcompletion of process b), the lug 148 associated with second cuttingelement 112 is forced transversely back towards longitudinal slot potion144 and the cutting element is forced back into its retracted positionby the force of its associated spring 138, whereupon the punched outplug 204 is forced from hollow chamber 134 by ejector 136. Uponcompletion of process c), the lug 148 associated with third cuttingelement 116 is forced transversely back towards longitudinal slot potion144 and the cutting element is forced back into its retracted positionby the force of its associated spring 138, whereupon the punched outplug 204 is forced from hollow chamber 134 by ejector 136.

In summary, the invention may be embodied as a cigar cutting tool havinga housing defining an aperture sized to receive a cigar head, a firstcutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to andacross the aperture, a second cutting element having a sharpened tubularedge extendable from the housing and having a cutting diameter, and athird cutting element having a sharpened tubular edge extendable fromthe housing and having a cutting diameter smaller than the cuttingdiameter of the second cutting element.

The first cutting element may be movable between an open positionexposing the aperture and a closed position fully covering the apertureand protecting the sharpened linear edge within the housing, and may bebiased towards the open position.

The cutting tool may further have means for retaining the first cuttingelement in its closed position. The means for retaining the firstcutting element may automatically retain the first cutting element inthe closed position as it is moved thereto. The means for retaining maybe a releasable pawl and the first cutting element may be automaticallyretained in its closed position as it is moved thereto by the releasablepawl. Release of the pawl may enable the first cutting element toautomatically move to its open position.

The second and third cutting elements may each be movable between anextended position wherein the respective second or third cutting elementextends from the housing and a retracted position wherein the respectivesecond or third cutting element is retracted into the housing and therespective sharpened tubular edge is protected within the housing. Thesecond and third cutting elements may each have a hollow interiorchamber for receiving the punched-out plug from the cigar head, and thecutting tool may further have ejectors disposed within and movablerelative to each of the hollow interior chambers and adapted to forcethe plug from the respective chamber as the respective second or thirdcutting element is moved from its extended position to its retractedposition.

The second and third cutting elements may each be biased towards itsretracted position. The cutting tool may further have means forretaining the second and third cutting elements in their respectiveextended positions The housing may have a pair of openings each adjacentto and associated with one of the second and third cutting elements,each opening having a longitudinal slot portion and a transverse slotportion. The means for retaining the second and third cutting elementsmay include a lug fixed to and movable with each of the respectivesecond or third cutting element, each lug movably received within anassociated one of the openings. Longitudinal outward movement of eachlug within the associated slot's longitudinal slot portion may cause theassociated one of the second or third cutting elements to move from itsretracted position to its extended position, and transverse outwardmovement of each lug within the associated slot's transverse slotportion may cause the associated one of the second or third cuttingelements to be retained in its extended position. The second and thirdcutting elements may be coaxially disposed.

The invention may also be embodied as a method of selectively causingone of a plurality of openings in a cigar head using a single cuttingtool having a housing defining an aperture sized to receive the cigarhead, a first cutting element having a sharpened linear edge movablerelative to and across the aperture, a second cutting element having asharpened tubular edge extendable from the housing and having a cuttingdiameter, and a third cutting element having a sharpened tubular edgeextendable from the housing and having a cutting diameter smaller thanthe cutting diameter of the second cutting element, where the firstcutting element is movable between an open position exposing theaperture and a closed position fully covering the aperture andprotecting the sharpened linear edge within the housing.

The method may include selecting a desired one of a sliced opening, alarge diameter punched opening, or a small diameter punched opening forthe cigar head, and following either process a), b) or c) with thesingle cutting tool, where process a) is for a sliced opening andincludes;

-   -   moving the first cutting element to its open position,    -   inserting the cigar head into the aperture; and    -   moving the first cutting element to its closed position to        thereby slice an opening through the cigar head,        where process b) is for a large diameter punched opening and        includes;    -   extending the second cutting element from the housing; and    -   pushing the second cutting element longitudinally into the        center of the cigar head to thereby punch a large diameter        opening into the cigar head;        and where process c) is for a small diameter punched opening and        includes;    -   extending the third cutting element from the housing; and    -   pushing the third cutting element longitudinally into the center        of the cigar head to thereby punch a small diameter opening into        the cigar head;

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to aspecific exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilledin the art that various changes in form and detail may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that theinvention should therefore only be limited according to the followingclaims, including all equivalent interpretation to which they areentitled.

1. A cigar cutting tool comprising: a housing defining an aperture sized to receive a cigar head; a first cutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to and across said aperture; a second cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge extendable from said housing and having a cutting diameter; a third cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge extendable from said housing and having a cutting diameter smaller than said cutting diameter of said second cutting element.
 2. The cutting tool of claim 1 wherein said first cutting element is movable between an open position exposing said aperture and a closed position fully covering said aperture and protecting said sharpened linear edge within said housing, and is biased towards said open position.
 3. The cutting tool of claim 2 further comprising means for retaining said first cutting element in said closed position.
 4. The cutting tool of claim 3 wherein said means for retaining said first cutting element automatically retains said first cutting element in said closed position as it is moved thereto.
 5. The cutting tool of claim 4 wherein said means for retaining is a releasable pawl; said first cutting element is automatically retained in said closed position as it is moved thereto by said releasable pawl; and wherein release of said pawl enables said first cutting element to automatically move to said open position.
 6. The cutting tool of claim 5 wherein said second and third cutting elements are each movable between an extended position wherein said respective second or third cutting element extends from said housing and a retracted position wherein said respective second or third cutting element is retracted into said housing and said respective sharpened tubular edge is protected within said housing.
 7. The cutting tool of claim 6 wherein said second and third cutting elements each comprise a hollow interior chamber for receiving a punched-out plug from the cigar head; and wherein said cutting tool further comprises ejectors disposed within and movable relative to each of said hollow interior chambers and adapted to force the plug from the respective chamber as said respective second or third cutting element is moved from its extended position to its retracted position.
 8. The cutting tool of claim 7 wherein said second and third cutting elements are each biased towards its retracted position.
 9. The cutting tool of claim 8 further comprising means for retaining said second and third cutting elements in their respective extended positions.
 10. The cutting tool of claim 9 wherein said housing further comprises a pair of openings each adjacent to and associated with one of said second and third cutting elements, each opening comprising a longitudinal slot portion and a transverse slot portion; said means for retaining said second and third cutting elements each comprises a lug fixed to and movable with said respective second or third cutting element, each lug movably received within an associated one of said openings; wherein longitudinal outward movement of each lug within said associated slot's longitudinal slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to move from its retracted position to its extended position; and transverse movement of each lug within said associated slot's transverse slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to be retained in its extended position.
 11. The cutting tool of claim 10 wherein said second and third cutting elements are coaxially disposed.
 12. The cutting tool of claim 1 wherein said second and third cutting elements are each movable between an extended position wherein said respective second or third cutting element extends from said housing and a retracted position wherein said respective second or third cutting element is retracted into said housing and said respective sharpened tubular edge is protected within said housing.
 13. The cutting tool of claim 12 wherein said second and third cutting elements each comprise a hollow interior chamber for receiving a punched-out plug from a cigar head; and wherein said cutting tool further comprises ejectors disposed within and movable relative to each of said hollow interior chambers and adapted to force the plug from the respective chamber as said respective second or third cutting element is moved from its extended position to its retracted position.
 14. The cutting tool of claim 13 wherein said second and third cutting elements are each biased towards its retracted position.
 15. The cutting tool of claim 14 further comprising means for retaining said second and third cutting elements in their respective extended positions.
 16. The cutting tool of claim 15 wherein said housing further comprises a pair of openings each adjacent to and associated with one of said second and third cutting elements, each opening comprising a longitudinal slot portion and a transverse slot portion; said means for retaining said second and third cutting elements each comprises a lug fixed to and movable with said respective second or third cutting element, each lug movably received within an associated one of said openings; wherein longitudinal outward movement of each lug within said associated slot's longitudinal slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to move from its retracted position to its extended position, and transverse movement of each lug within said associated slot's transverse slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to be retained in its extended position.
 17. The cutting tool of claim 16 wherein said second and third cutting elements are coaxially disposed.
 18. A cigar cutting tool comprising: a housing defining an aperture sized to receive a cigar head; a first cutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to and across said aperture, said first cutting element being movable between an open position exposing said aperture and a closed position fully covering said aperture and protecting said sharpened linear edge within said housing, and said first cutting element being biased towards said open position; a releasable pawl for automatically retaining said first cutting element in said closed position as it is moved thereto, wherein said first cutting element is automatically retained in said closed position as it is moved thereto by said releasable pawl, and wherein release of said pawl enables said first cutting element to automatically move to said open position; a second cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge extendable from said housing and having a cutting diameter; a third cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge coaxially disposed with said sharpened tubular edge of said second cutting element, extendable from said housing in a direction opposite the extension of said second cutting element, and having a cutting diameter smaller than said cutting diameter of said second cutting element; wherein said second and third cutting elements are each movable between an extended position wherein said respective second or third cutting element extends from said housing and a retracted position wherein said respective second or third cutting element is retracted into said housing and said respective sharpened tubular edge is protected within said housing; and said second and third cutting elements are each biased towards its retracted position.
 19. The cutting tool of claim 18 wherein said second and third cutting elements each comprise a hollow interior chamber for receiving a punched-out plug from a cigar head; and wherein said cutting tool further comprises ejectors disposed within and movable relative to each of said hollow interior chambers and adapted to force the plug from the respective chamber as said respective second or third cutting element is moved from its extended position to its retracted position.
 20. The cutting tool of claim 19 wherein said housing further comprises a pair of openings each adjacent to and associated with one of said second and third cutting elements, each opening comprising a longitudinal slot portion and a transverse slot portion; said second and third cutting elements each comprises a lug fixed to and movable with said respective second or third cutting element, each lug movably received within an associated one of said openings; wherein longitudinal outward movement of each lug within said associated slot's longitudinal slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to move from its retracted position to its extended position; and transverse movement of each lug within said associated slot's transverse slot portion causes the associated one of said second or third cutting elements to be retained in its extended position.
 21. A method of selectively causing one of a plurality of openings in a cigar head using a single cutting tool comprising: a housing defining an aperture sized to receive the cigar head; a first cutting element having a sharpened linear edge movable relative to and across said aperture, said first cutting element being movable between an open position exposing said aperture and a closed position fully covering said aperture and protecting said sharpened linear edge within said housing; a second cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge extendable from said housing and having a cutting diameter; a third cutting element comprising a sharpened tubular edge extendable from said housing and having a cutting diameter smaller than said cutting diameter of said second cutting element; said method comprising: selecting a desired one of a sliced opening, a large diameter punched opening, or a small diameter punched opening for the cigar head, and accordingly following either process a), b) or c) with said single cutting tool; wherein process a) is for a sliced opening and comprises; moving the first cutting element to its open position; inserting the cigar head into the aperture; and moving the first cutting element to its closed position to thereby slice an opening through the cigar head; wherein process b) is for a large diameter punched opening and comprises; extending the second cutting element from the housing; and pushing the second cutting element longitudinally into the center of the cigar head to thereby punch a large diameter opening into the cigar head; and wherein process c) is for a small diameter punched opening and comprises; extending the third cutting element from the housing; and pushing the third cutting element longitudinally into the center of the cigar head to thereby punch a small diameter opening into the cigar head. 